1. 21 Common Birds of our Wetland Habitats

2. Look for... SizeSize ShapeShape ColorColor HabitatHabitat

3. Waders

4. Great Blue Heron Adults look alike Residents year-round Often solitary, nocturnal Common habitat: Marshes, ponds, estuaries, agricultural fields, rivers, and lakes.

5. Greater Yellow Legs Adults look alike Spring – late summer Often flock with other shorebirds Common habitat: Wading in variety of shallow-water habitats.

6. Killdeer Adults look alike Common through Fall Some winter over Common habitat: Open habitats without high grass, suburban or rural, bare gravel areas for nesting.

7. Swimmers

8. Canada Goose Adults look alike Common year-round Often in flocks; mate for life Common habitat: Ponds, lakes, marshes, grassy fields, estuaries, rivers.

9. Common Merganser Male Female (note white chin) Adults look very different Common resident Common habitat: Fresh, clear water, also coastal bays, brackish river mouths.

10. Mallard Adults look very different Common resident Wide spread in our area Common habitat: Fresh or salt water, grain fields, city parks. FemaleMale

11. Aerialists

12. Swallows Adults look very similar February thru late summer Often flocks with other swallows Common habitat: Often share same habitat and nesting areas, cavity nesters, open areas near woods and water. Tree Swallow Violet Green Swallow Eye in dark plumage Often more iridescent-blue above Eye in white plumage with white rump Often more iridescent-green above

13. Barn Swallow Adults look very similar April - September Often flocks with other swallows Common habitat: Open areas near outbuildings, bridges, structures. Deeply forked tail Nest is half cup of mud, hidden under eaves of buildings/ structures in singles or colonies

14. Gulls – 2 most common Western Glaucous–winged Adults look alike Juveniles take 3-4 years reach adult plumage Hybridize extensively in area; IDs difficult Often in large flocks with each other Common habitat: Often share same habitat and nesting areas, colonial nesters, coastal areas & Puget Sound lowlands next to water. Note much darker gray mantle, black wing tips & tail on Western 1 st yr Western Juv. 2 nd yr Glau.Wing Juv.

15. Belted King Fisher Adults look similar Common year-round Very aggressive & territorial Common habitat: Near water; rivers, lakes, ponds and coastal bays. Male Female Has rufous belly band

16. Birds of Prey

17. Bald Eagle Adults look alike, female larger Juv. 4-5 yrs for adult plumage Year-round resident Common habitat: Usually in lowlands near water, coastlines, lakes and rivers. 1 st yr Juv.

18. Turkey Vulture Adults look alike Common Spring – Fall Often in flocks Rarely flap, dependant on thermals for soaring Common habitat: Open areas, agricultural fields, clear cuts. Distinctive ‘V’ flying pattern, wobbly, unsteady flight

19. Red-Tailed Hawk Most common hawk in our region Adults look alike Adult plumage can vary extensively in West Common habitat: Highly adaptable, variety of open habitats, edges, fields, freeway corridors, clear cuts, open woods. Look for: Dark head & white belly band Flash of red tail in sunlight

20. Land Birds

21. Northern Flicker Common resident Also highly migratory Common habitat: Open woodlands, any semi-open area, urban woodlots, lawns. Female Male

22. Anna’s Hummingbird Common year-round; increasing & spreading Only males have bright head coloring Males green & gray with bright red/pink crown Females and juv. duller, small red/pink spot on throat Common habitat: Open woods, shrubs, urban parks & gardens, residential feeders where humans influence range expansion.

23. Rufous Hummingbird Rufous Females and juv. green backs with orange tails and under parts. Some will have small orange- red mark on throat. Common habitat : Forest openings, brushy edges, move from lowlands to mountains following the alpine blooms. Adult males have red /orange iridescent gorget; upper back sometimes green, usually rusty orange. Males arrive in Feb. to build nests Species abundant through summer

24. Song and Perching Birds

25. American Crow Adults look alike Year-round resident Rarely seen alone Highly adaptable, will eat anything Common habitat: Abundant in cities, towns, agricultural areas, river valleys. Less common in remote area, dense conifers, high mountains.

26. American Robin Adults look similar, female muted color Year-round resident Common habitat: Forests, cities, lawns, open areas. Typically ground feeders. Heavy flocks in winter. Female Spotted Juv. Male

27. Common Sparrows Common Sparrows (4) Song Sparrow Most common sparrow Adults look alike Year-round resident; sings year round Our species appear darker than most Begins nesting in late winter; will have 4-5 nests a year Common habitat: Prefers shrubs and thickets in wetter areas. Common in all semi-open habitats, broken forest. Look for Thick gray stripe above eye Dense streaking on breast Often has central dark spot on breast

28. Common Sparrows Common Sparrows con’t Adults look dissimilar Year-round resident throughout U.S. Clear breast; plain face; gray crown Thick conical beak Small flocks near human habitation Common habitat: Urban areas, parks, open farmland; frequents most feeders. Only sparrow found in all urban habitats in U.S. House Sparrow Female Plain dull breast Light-buff eyebrow and collar stripe Plain drab crown Male Black bib Gray crown Chestnut hind neck White collar stripe Duller in winter

29. Common Sparrows Common Sparrows con’t White Crown Sparrow Adults look alike Year-round resident Distinctive black/ white head stripes Juveniles streaked overall Common habitat: Cities, parks, farms, shrubby woodland edges next to open areas. Often flock with other sparrows. Look for: Clean breast & head Two white wing bars Long tail

30. Common Sparrows Golden Crown Sparrow Adults look similar, female duller color Common winter/ spring Oct.-Apr. resident No black head stripes until spring Yellow much duller in winter plumage Common habitat: Ground feeders in open, damper areas of towns, parks, farms. Migrate to sub-alpine areas to nest. Look for: Clean breast & head Small yellow bill Subtle eye stripe Two white wing bars Long tail

31. Spotted Towhee Adults similar, female duller color Year-round resident Red eye, rufous flanks, white belly Juvenile heavily streaked, no hood Common habitat: Ground foragers. Seclusive in shrubby habitats in forested lowlands and urban areas. Male Black hood Dark rufous flanks White spots along wings and back Female Gray hood Softer colors Less white spots

32. Red-Winged Blackbird Male All black Red epilates can be hidden Female Heavily streaked Rufous tones Bold buffy head stripes Adults look very different Year-round resident, though change habitats in winter Common habitat: Typically found in wet, brushy or marshy areas.

33. Starling Adults look alike Year-round resident Most common song bird in U.S. Often flock in huge numbers Very different winter plumage Common habitat: Abundant in urban and agricultural areas. Rarely seen in dense forest or mountains. Adult plumage Black iridescent plumage with yellow beak during breeding Winter plumage Black/ brown plumage with white spots and black beak during winter

34. Chickadees Black-capped Adults look alike Year-round resident Flock with Chestnut-backed chickadees Common habitat: Found in variety of wooded habitats; especially fond of birch and alder. Rarely found in higher elevations. Look for: Black cap and short throat bib Drab gray back, wings and long tail Buffy sides extend into whitish belly

35. Chickadees Chestnut-backed Common habitat: Found in dense coniferous and mixed forests, mountains to urban and agricultural areas. Only found in Pacific NW to coast. Look for: Dark brown head and extended bib Rich dark chestnut back and flanks Whitish belly with very short tail Adults look alike Year-round resident Flock with Black-capped chickadees

36. 21 Birds of our Wetlands Waders -Waders - Great Blue Heron - Greater Yellow Legs - Killdeer Swimmers -Swimmers - Canada Goose - Common Merganser - Mallard Aerialists -Aerialists - Swallows - Gulls - King Fisher Birds of PreyBirds of Prey - Bald Eagle - Turkey Vulture - Red-Tailed Hawk Land BirdsLand Birds - Northern Flicker - Hummingbirds Perching BirdsPerching Birds - Crow - Robin - Sparrows - Towhee - Red-winged Blackbird - Starling - Chickadee